Three in a Bed

Chapter 3: A Quest for Answers

In the evening, you sit beside Yixing on the bus again. You are quieter, more thoughtful since your conversation with Chanyeol, and Yixing notices.

"What is troubling you?" He asks in English, struggling over the word 'troubling'. Yixing takes hold of your hand, entwining his fingers with yours, and reaches over to cup your cheek.

You shake your head, smiling, and it is only partially forced. "It's nothing," you dismiss, finding yourself unable to ruin Yixing's good mood by asking about his 'history'. You decide to text Luhan later and ask him.

"Good!" Yixing seems delighted. "If there is something wrong, you must tell me." You find yourself nodding, although part of you feels awful for not telling him the truth.

He puts an arm around you, pulling your head down to rest on his shoulder, and somehow it feels safe and right, despite Chanyeol's warnings. You mentally shake yourself, clearing all thoughts of the lanky, model-esque figure from your mind, and enjoy the feeling of Yixing's embrace.

"I want to see you outside of school," he whispers into your hair and you nod. "Tomorrow evening, come over to my house. I want to show you something."

"Okay," you whisper back. A thousand different possibilities run through your head of what he could want to show you. When you reach your stop, he squeezes you tightly one last time, brushing his lips against the top of your head, before letting you go.

Moments after the bus pulls away, your phone vibrates in your pocket. Pulling it out, you read the text from Yixing.

好想你 xo (Miss you much xo)

You smile and reply.

我也想你 xo (I miss you too xo)

And you mean it, you really do. But there is a horrid feeling, a thought nagging at the back of your mind. When you remember the way he held you on the bus, his breath tickling your hair, and the soft kiss he placed gently on the top of your head, your heartbeat increases and an intense rush of pleasure rushes through you. Yet underneath, Chanyeol's warning resonates, returning every time you think about Yixing. (Which is, let's face it, a hell of a lot.)

After dinner, you text Luhan, telling him what Chanyeol said and asking what was meant by it. Seconds later, your phone rings and you answer Luhan's call.

"Bù xìnrèn Chanyeol." (Don't trust Chanyeol) he says the moment you pick up.

"Zhè hěn yǒuqù, zhè zhèng shì Chanyeol shuō, dàyuē Yixing. Wǒ bù zhīdào shì shuí, wǒ kěyǐ zài xiāngxìn" (That's funny, that's exactly what Chanyeol said about Yixing. I don't know who I can trust anymore)

"Xiāngxìn wǒ." (Trust me) Luhan says, his voice calm and rational. "Chanyeol Yixing yǒu... Lìshǐ. Chanyeol bù xǐhuān Yixing, tā bìng méiyǒu hěn zhǎng de shíjiān nèi wánchéng. Bùguò wǒ kěyǐ gàosù nǐ, tā shì yīgè bù zhídé xìnrèn." (Chanyeol and Yixing have... History. Chanyeol doesn't like Yixing, he hasn't done for a long time. But I can assure you, he is the one not to be trusted.)

"Wǒ bù míngbái!" (I don't understand!) you say in frustration. "Wèishéme huì Chanyeol shuō chū nàyàng dehuà, rúguǒ tā yǒu méiyǒu dàolǐ?" (Why would Chanyeol say something like that if it had no truth?)

Luhan sighs wearily. "Duìbùqǐ. Wèn Yixing, zhè shì tā de shēngyì bùshì wǒ de. Bùguò shuō zhēn de, qǐng xiāngxìn wǒ." (I'm sorry. Ask Yixing, it's his business not mine. But really, please believe me.)

Even more conflicted, you thank Luhan and hang up the phone. You decide to trust Luhan at least, and go with Yixing the following evening. Suddenly exhausted, you rush through your homework and climb into bed, falling asleep with the memory of Yixing's lips against your head.

The next day drags by, and with no sign of Chanyeol, but eventually you are on the bus and Yixing is holding your hand as he asks you about your day. As you pass your usual stop you feel your heartbeat accelerate, and Yixing squeezes your hand. He leans down toward your ear.

"I think we need to talk," he murmurs in English and you shiver. "Luhan told me what Chanyeol said."

You pull away from him and look at him, but he doesn't looks concerned - he looks like there is a perfectly rational explanation for the situation. You feel reassured, and like your trust in him has been re-established.

When you reach his stop, you let go of his hand in order to pick up your bag, but the moment you step of the bus he slings an arm around your shoulder, playing with your hair.

He leads you to his house, but takes you through the side gate and into the back garden. You follow him to a tree at the bottom, where a rope ladder hangs from the branches.

Yixing takes your bag and climbs the ladder quickly, placing the bags in a tree house halfway up the tree. His face appears over the side of the wooden platform and he extends a hand to help you up. You take it, enjoying his firm grip as he pulls you up the ladder.

The treehouse is a surprisingly clean and spacious platform with railings around the edges. Cushions line the edges, and several blankets are piled in the centre. A stack of books sits in one corner, next to a sketchbook and set of pencils.

Yixing sits, leaning against the cushions by the tree trunk. He pats the space beside him and you sink into it, leaning against him. He wraps his arms around your shoulders, holding you to him so your face is half buried in his shirt, which smells amazing.

"So," he begins, and bless him he is speaking in English to make sure you understand. "Chanyeol. Uh..." He ran his hand through his hair, leaving it sticking up all over the place. "I used to date Chanyeol's sister, Yoora. We were together for a while, but it turned out she was - I think you say - cheating on me." Yixing sighed heavily. "One thing I cannot stand is when people are not loyal. I broke it off with her, although she didn't want us to break up, she wanted another chance and was upset. Chanyeol Is mad at me because he thinks I should have given her another chance. He gives people the view that I don't care about feelings. I am sorry he gave you that view of me."

Your face hidden, you smile in relief.

"I want you to know," Yixing continues, "I really do care about your feelings. I like you very much, and I am hoping that we will share secrets and know each other best than anyone."

"Better," you correct automatically. "Know each other better than anyone. And - I hope so too."

Yixing shifts away from you slightly and you sit up, feeling his gaze on you. His lips are slightly parted and his breathing is heavier than normal. The sight of him looking at you like that makes your cheeks flush and your heart beat more quickly.

He tilts his head slowly, leaning in toward you, all the while maintaining eye contact with a searching expression as if he is asking permission to kiss you. You give a small nod of assent.

And then he leans in and kisses you, soft and sweet and completely, utterly perfect. You feel tingly from head to toe, euphoric. It's your first kiss, but without the awkwardness you had anticipated. Yixing's fingers tangle in your hair, and your arms slip around his neck as the kiss deepens and he pulls you closer.

When you finally break, you are both panting, eyes shining. Yixing smooths your hair, tucking a strand behind your ear, and places a tiny kiss on your nose. You grin, moving into his lap and snuggling against him.

It's so perfect, you want that moment to last for ever.